JP7411160B2 - Liquid ejecting device, head drive control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting device and a head drive control method.

When driving a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles that eject liquid, acoustic wave resonance may occur in the common flow path due to pressure waves propagating from the pressure chamber to the common flow path.

Conventionally, it has been known to drive a head with a drive waveform having a drive frequency different from the resonance frequency of the head (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-330514

However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the driving frequency of the head is restricted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress fluctuations in ejection characteristics without restricting the drive frequency.

In order to solve the above problems, a device for discharging liquid according to the present invention includes:
a plurality of pressure chambers each communicating with a plurality of nozzles that discharge liquid;
a common flow path communicating with the plurality of pressure chambers;
a liquid ejection head comprising a plurality of pressure generating elements respectively corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers;
means for generating and outputting a plurality of drive waveforms whose phases are shifted by 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more) of the resonance period of the common flow path;
and means for applying different drive waveforms to different pressure generating elements.

According to the present invention, fluctuations in ejection characteristics can be suppressed without restricting the drive frequency.

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a printing device as a device for ejecting liquid according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of a discharge unit of the printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of an example of the head in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram similarly taken along the nozzle arrangement direction. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a portion related to head drive control of the printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the resonance period of a common flow path. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a comparative example. It is an explanatory view provided for explanation of a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view provided for explanation of a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view provided for explanation of a 4th embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view of the external appearance of an example of a head according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention as seen from the nozzle surface side. FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the external appearance seen from the side opposite to the nozzle surface. It is also an exploded perspective explanatory view. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the flow path forming member. FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective explanatory view of the main part of FIG. 15; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flow path portion.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printing apparatus as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the same printing apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a plan explanatory diagram of a discharge unit of the same printing apparatus.

The printing device 500 includes a carry-in section 510 for carrying in the sheet material P, a pre-processing section 520, a printing section 530, a drying section 540, and a carry-out section 550. The printing device 500 applies (applies) a pretreatment liquid to the sheet material P carried in (supplied) from the carry-in unit 510 in a pretreatment unit 520, which is a pretreatment unit, as necessary. After the liquid attached to the sheet material P is dried in the drying section 540, the sheet material P is discharged to the carry-out section 550.

The carry-in section 510 includes a carry-in tray 511 (a lower carry-in tray 511A, an upper carry-in tray 511B) that accommodates a plurality of sheet materials P, and a feeding device 512 (512A) that separates the sheet materials P from the carry-in tray 511 one by one and sends them out. , 512B), and supplies the sheet material P to the preprocessing section 520.

The pre-processing section 520 includes a coating section 521, which is a processing liquid applying means for applying a processing liquid having the effect of coagulating ink and preventing show-through to the printing surface of the sheet material P, for example.

The printing section 530 includes a drum 531 that is a supporting member (rotating member) that rotates while supporting the sheet material P on its peripheral surface, and a liquid ejecting section 532 that ejects liquid toward the sheet material P supported on the drum 531. We are prepared.

The printing section 530 also includes a transfer cylinder 534 that receives the sheet material P fed from the preprocessing section 520 and passes the sheet material P to and from the drum 531, and a transfer cylinder 534 that receives the sheet material P conveyed by the drum 531 and inverts the sheet material P. A delivery cylinder 535 for delivering to the mechanism section 560 is provided.

The leading end of the sheet material P conveyed from the pre-processing section 520 to the printing section 530 is gripped by a gripping means (sheet gripper) provided on the transfer cylinder 534, and is conveyed as the transfer cylinder 534 rotates. The sheet material P conveyed by the transfer cylinder 534 is transferred to the drum 531 at a position facing the drum 531.

A gripping means (sheet gripper) is also provided on the surface of the drum 531, and the leading end of the sheet material P is gripped by the gripping means (sheet gripper). A plurality of suction holes are formed in a distributed manner on the surface of the drum 531, and a suction means generates a suction airflow directed inward from the required suction holes of the drum 531.

Then, the sheet material P transferred from the transfer drum 534 to the drum 531 is gripped at the leading end by a sheet gripper, is suctioned and supported on the drum 531 by the suction airflow by the suction means, and is conveyed as the drum 531 rotates. be done.

The liquid discharge section 532 includes a discharge unit 533 (533A to 533D) which is a liquid discharge means. For example, the discharge unit 533A discharges cyan (C) liquid, the discharge unit 533B discharges magenta (M) liquid, the discharge unit 533C discharges yellow (Y) liquid, and the discharge unit 533D discharges black (K) liquid. Discharge each. In addition, it is also possible to use a discharge unit that discharges a special liquid such as white or gold (silver).

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the ejection unit 533 includes a plurality of liquid ejection heads (hereinafter simply referred to as "heads") 1 having a plurality of nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged in a staggered manner on the base member 103. The head module 100 includes a full-line head arranged in the head module 100.

The ejection operation of each ejection unit 533 of the liquid ejection section 532 is controlled by a drive signal according to print information. When the sheet material P carried by the drum 531 passes through an area facing the liquid ejection section 532, liquids of each color are ejected from the ejection unit 533, and an image corresponding to the print information is printed.

The reversing mechanism section 560 is a mechanism that reverses the sheet material P in a switchback manner when double-sided printing is performed on the sheet material P passed from the delivery cylinder 535, and the reversed sheet material P is transferred to the printing section. The transfer drum 530 is sent back to the upstream side of the transfer cylinder 534 through the transport path 561 .

The drying section 540 dries the liquid deposited on the sheet material P by the printing section 530. As a result, liquid components such as water in the liquid evaporate, the colorant contained in the liquid is fixed on the sheet material P, and curling of the sheet material P is suppressed.

The carry-out section 550 includes a carry-out tray 551 on which a plurality of sheet materials P are loaded. The sheet materials P conveyed from the drying section 540 are sequentially stacked and held on the carry-out tray 551.

Although this embodiment is explained using an example in which the sheet material is a cut sheet material, it is also possible to use a device that uses a continuous body (web) such as continuous paper or roll paper, and a device that uses sheet material such as wallpaper. The present invention can also be applied to the following.

Next, an example of the head will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the same head in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view similarly taken along the nozzle arrangement direction.

The head 1 of this embodiment has a nozzle plate 10, a channel plate 20, and a diaphragm member 30 as a wall member that are laminated and bonded. A piezoelectric actuator 40 that displaces a vibration region (diaphragm region, diaphragm) 31 of a diaphragm member 30 and a common flow path member 50 that also serves as a frame member of the head 1 are provided.

The nozzle plate 10 has a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged.

The channel plate 20 includes a plurality of pressure chambers 21 communicating with the plurality of nozzles 11, an individual supply channel 22 which also serves as a fluid resistance section and communicating with each pressure chamber 21, and one or more channels communicating with the one or more individual supply channels 22. An intermediate supply channel 24 is formed. Adjacent pressure chambers 21, 21 are separated by a partition wall 28.

The diaphragm member 30 has a plurality of movable vibration regions 31 that form the walls of the pressure chambers 21 of the channel plate 20 . Here, the diaphragm member 30 has a two-layer structure (not limited thereto), and is composed of a first layer 30a forming a thin wall portion and a second layer 30b forming a thick wall portion from the channel plate 20 side.

A deformable vibration region 31 is formed in a portion of the first layer 30a, which is a thin wall portion, corresponding to the pressure chamber 21. In the vibration region 31, an island-shaped convex portion 31a, which is a thick portion that is joined to the piezoelectric actuator 40 in the second layer 30b, is formed. Furthermore, a joint portion 38, which is a thick portion, is formed in the second layer 30b at a portion of the diaphragm member 30 that corresponds to the pressure chamber partition wall 28.

A piezoelectric actuator 40 including an electromechanical transducer as a pressure generating element (driving means, actuator means) for deforming the vibration region 31 of the diaphragm member 30 is arranged on the opposite side of the diaphragm member 30 from the pressure chamber 21. are doing.

This piezoelectric actuator 40 is manufactured by forming grooves in a piezoelectric member 41 bonded to a base member 44 by half-cut dicing, and combing a required number of columnar piezoelectric elements 42 and pillars 43 at predetermined intervals in the nozzle arrangement direction. It is tooth-shaped.

The piezoelectric element 42 is a piezoelectric element that displaces the vibration region 31 by applying a driving voltage. The support column 43 is a piezoelectric element that supports the partition wall 28 between the pressure chambers 21, 21 without applying a driving voltage.

The piezoelectric element 42 is bonded to an island-shaped convex portion 31a, which is a thick wall portion, formed in the vibration region 31 of the diaphragm member 30 with an adhesive. On the other hand, the strut portion 43 is bonded to a joint portion 38, which is a thick portion, provided at a portion of the diaphragm member 30 corresponding to the partition wall 28 using an adhesive.

The piezoelectric member 41 is made by alternately laminating piezoelectric layers and internal electrodes, and the internal electrodes are each drawn out to an end face and connected to an external electrode (end face electrode), and a flexible wiring member 45 is connected to the external electrode. .

The common flow path member 50 forms a common supply flow path 51. The common supply channel 51 communicates with the intermediate supply channel 24 via a filter section 39 provided in the diaphragm member 30 .

In this head 1, for example, by lowering the piezoelectric element 42 from a reference potential (intermediate potential), the piezoelectric element 42 contracts, the vibration region 31 of the diaphragm member 30 is pulled, and the volume of the pressure chamber 21 expands. , liquid flows into the pressure chamber 21.

Thereafter, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 42 is increased to extend the piezoelectric element 42 in the stacking direction, and the vibration region 31 of the diaphragm member 30 is deformed in the direction toward the nozzle 11, thereby contracting the volume of the pressure chamber 21. , the liquid in the pressure chamber 21 is pressurized, and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 11.

Next, parts related to drive control of the head will be explained with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 5.

The image data processing means 401 processes the input image data, determines the ejection timing and ejection/non-ejection for each nozzle 11, and provides the ejection data to the selection means 412 of the head driver 410.

The drive waveform storage means 402 stores a plurality of drive waveforms having mutually different phases. In this embodiment, two drive waveforms A and B whose phases are shifted by 1/N (N=an integer greater than or equal to 1) of the resonance period of the common supply channel 51 of the head 1 are stored. In this embodiment, the drive waveform A and the drive waveform B are out of phase by 1/2 of the resonance period of the common supply channel 51.

The driving frequency determining means 403 determines whether the driving frequency of the head 1 corresponds to a divisor of the resonant frequency of the common supply channel 51.

The drive waveform selection means 404 reads out the drive waveforms A and B stored in the drive waveform storage means 402 according to the determination result of the drive frequency determination means 403. When the drive frequency determining means 403 determines that the drive frequency of the head 1 corresponds to a divisor of the resonant frequency of the common supply channel 51, the drive waveform selection means 404 selects drive waveforms having different phases from the drive waveform storage means 402. A and drive waveform B are output.

The amplification means 405A and the amplification means 405B respectively amplify the drive waveforms A and B output from the drive waveform storage means 402 and output them to the head driver 410. Drive waveform storage means 402, drive waveform selection means 404, and amplification means 405A and 405B constitute means for generating and outputting a plurality of drive waveforms having different phases.

The head driver 410 includes a group of two analog switches 411A and 411B connected to the piezoelectric element 42, and selection means 412.

The selection means 412 selectively turns on the analog switch 411A or 411B corresponding to the nozzle 11 that discharges the liquid, and applies the drive waveform A or B to the piezoelectric element 42.

At this time, the selection means 412 turns on the analog switch 411A or 411B according to the determination result of the drive frequency determination means 403. When the driving frequency determining means 403 determines that the driving frequency of the head 1 corresponds to a divisor of the resonant frequency of the common supply channel 51, the selecting means 412 applies the voltage to the piezoelectric element 42 corresponding to the nozzle 11 that ejects liquid. The analog switch 411A or 411B is turned on so that the drive waveform A and the drive waveform B are mixed in the drive waveforms.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the resonance of the common flow path. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the vibration of the common supply channel in this embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the vibration of the common supply channel in the comparative example.

Pressure chamber resonance is generally known as the resonance of a liquid ejection head, but the common flow path resonance is a completely different resonance having a different resonance frequency from the pressure chamber resonance. As shown in Figure 6, the Fourier view of the wraparound meniscus oscillation occurs when the observation nozzle is set to non-discharge (non-drive) and the nozzles adjacent to (around) the observation nozzle are driven at the drive frequency at which abnormal discharge speed occurs. Shows the conversion result.

In the head used in the example of FIG. 6, the resonance period Tc of the pressure chamber is 3.1 μs, that is, the frequency is 320 kHz. Therefore, the 300 kHz vibration appearing in FIG. 6 is different from the resonance of the pressure chamber, and is known from other experimental facts to be the resonance of the common flow path. When the resonant frequency of the common flow path is 300 kHz, when the head is driven at a drive frequency of 60 kHz, the drive waveform includes harmonics, so the resonance of the common flow path of 300 kHz, which is a multiple of 60 kHz, is excited. When the pressure waves excited by the resonance of this common flow path are transmitted to the pressure chamber, they cause fluctuations in the discharge speed.

In the comparative example shown in FIG. 8, the head 1 is driven using one drive waveform A shown in FIG. 8(a). At this time, if the driving frequency is a divisor of the resonant frequency of the common supply channel 51, vibration propagates from the two pressure chambers 21 to the common supply channel 51, as shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 8(c). However, as shown in FIG. 8(d), they are added together to form a vibration with a large amplitude. Large vibrations excited by the resonance within the common supply flow path 51 propagate to the pressure chamber 21, causing the discharge speed to fluctuate.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(a), when the resonance period Te of the common supply flow path 51 is set, the drive waveform A and the drive waveform A have a phase difference of Te/2 with respect to the drive waveform A. The shifted drive waveform B is used. Then, when the drive frequency is a divisor of the resonant frequency of the common supply channel 51, the drive waveform A and the drive waveform B are applied to different piezoelectric elements 42 so as to coexist.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 7(b) and (c), the vibration caused by drive waveform A and the vibration caused by drive waveform B are in opposite phases with a phase difference of Te/2, so that As shown, the vibrations caused by the drive waveform A and the vibrations caused by the drive waveform B cancel each other out, so that vibrations with large amplitudes are not excited in the common supply channel 51.

Therefore, fluctuations in ejection characteristics such as fluctuations in ejection speed are suppressed without restrictions on the driving frequency.

Here, assignment of drive waveform A and drive waveform B to the plurality of nozzles 11 (piezoelectric elements 42) will be explained.

In this embodiment, drive waveform A is assigned to half of the plurality of nozzles 11, and drive waveform B is assigned to the remaining half. At this time, as described above, the vibrations caused by the drive waveform A and the vibrations caused by the drive waveform B have opposite phases to each other and therefore cancel each other out.

Therefore, by driving a plurality of nozzles 11, for example, a plurality of nozzles 11 constituting one nozzle row connected to the common supply flow path 51, by mixing half of the drive waveforms A and half of the drive waveforms B, the piezoelectric element 42 The pressures transmitted from the source to the common supply flow path 51 cancel each other out.

As a result, the vibration input to the common supply flow path 51 is suppressed, so the vibration of the common supply flow path 51 is also reduced, and the vibration transmitted from the common supply flow path 51 to the pressure chamber 21 is also reduced, so that the discharge speed is reduced. Fluctuations can be suppressed.

In addition, the assignment of drive waveform A and drive waveform B to the plurality of nozzles 11 is made different depending on when the plurality of nozzles 11 are fully driven (solid pattern) and when there are nozzles that are not ejecting (non-solid pattern). be able to.

For example, when printing a solid pattern, all the nozzles 11 in the nozzle row are driven (discharged). Therefore, the drive waveform A is assigned to the odd numbered nozzles 11 in the nozzle row, and the drive waveform B is assigned to the even numbered nozzles 11.

On the other hand, when printing a pattern that is not a solid pattern, the plurality of nozzles 11 in the nozzle row include nozzles 11 that do not eject liquid. Therefore, drive waveform A is assigned to half of the nozzles 11 that eject liquid, and drive waveform B is assigned to the remaining half.

In this manner, in this embodiment, different drive waveforms A and B are provided to different piezoelectric elements 42 with a phase difference of 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more) of the resonance period of the common supply channel 51. The head 1 is driven and controlled using a head drive control method.

Further, at least when the drive frequency is a divisor of the resonance period of the common supply channel 51, the head 1 is driven using a head drive control method that provides different drive waveforms A and B with different phases to different piezoelectric elements 42. It's in control.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of drive waveforms and assignment to nozzles in the same embodiment.

In this embodiment, N different drive waveforms (N is an integer of 2 or more) are used. The N drive waveforms are shifted in phase from each other by 1/N of the resonance period Te of the common supply flow path 51. For example, the remaining (N-1) drive waveforms are shifted in phase by 1/N, 2/N, . . . , (N-1)/N with respect to one drive waveform.

If it is determined that the drive frequency of the head corresponds to a divisor of the resonant frequency of the common supply flow path 51, then 1/N, 2/N for a certain drive waveform for the plurality of nozzles 11 Driving waveforms whose phases are shifted by N, . . . , (N-1)/N are sequentially selected and applied.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when three (N=3) drive waveforms are used, the drive waveform A and the drive waveform A are phased by 1/3 of the resonance period Te of the common supply channel 51. A drive waveform B is shifted in phase with respect to the drive waveform A, and a drive waveform C is shifted in phase with respect to the drive waveform A by 2/3 of the resonance period Te of the common supply flow path 51.

When the arrangement of m nozzles 11 is, for example, nozzles 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4...11-m, the drive waveform A is applied to the nozzle 11-1, and the drive waveform The drive waveform B is assigned to the nozzle 2, and the drive waveform C is assigned to the nozzle 11-3. Thereafter, the allocation of drive waveforms A to C is repeated.

Thereby, the vibrations generated in each nozzle cancel each other out, so it is possible to suppress vibrations input to the common flow path.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining assignment of two drive waveforms to nozzles in the same embodiment.
explain.

In this embodiment, the two drive waveforms A and B in the first embodiment are alternately assigned to a plurality of nozzles 11 constituting a nozzle row for every predetermined number of nozzles.

As shown in FIG. 10, the arrangement of m nozzles 11 is, for example, nozzles 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, . . . 11-m.

At this time, in the example shown in FIG. 10(a), drive waveform A is applied to nozzle 11-1, drive waveform B is applied to nozzle 11-2, drive waveform A is applied to nozzle 11-3, and so on for each nozzle. They are assigned alternately.

In the example shown in FIG. 10(b), drive waveform A is applied to nozzles 11-1 and 11-2, drive waveform B is applied to nozzles 11-3 and 11-4, and so on, alternately for every two nozzles. Assigned.

Thereby, the vibrations generated in each nozzle cancel each other out, so it is possible to suppress vibrations input to the common flow path.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining assignment of two drive waveforms to nozzles in the same embodiment.

In this embodiment, the two drive waveforms A and B in the first embodiment are alternately applied to the nozzles that eject liquid among the plurality of nozzles 11 constituting the nozzle row, every predetermined number of nozzles. Assigned.

As shown in FIG. 11, the arrangement of m nozzles 11 is, for example, nozzles 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, . . . 11-m. Further, the nozzles 11 for discharging liquid are assumed to be nozzles 11-1, 11-3 to 11-5, 11-8, and 11-m.

At this time, in the example shown in FIG. 11(a), drive waveform A is applied to nozzle 11-1, drive waveform B is applied to nozzle 11-3, drive waveform A is applied to nozzle 11-4, and so on for each nozzle. They are assigned alternately.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 11(b), drive waveform A is applied to nozzles 11-1 and 11-3, drive waveform B is applied to nozzles 11-4 and 11-5, and so on. Assigned.

Thereby, even if non-discharging nozzles are included, the vibrations generated in each nozzle cancel each other out, so it is possible to more effectively suppress vibrations input to the common flow path.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference also to FIGS. 12 to 17. FIG. 12 is an explanatory perspective view of the external appearance of the head whose drive is controlled in the same embodiment as seen from the nozzle surface side, FIG. 13 is an explanatory perspective view of the external appearance of the head viewed from the side opposite to the nozzle surface, and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective explanatory view of the head. Reference numeral 15 is an exploded perspective explanatory view of the flow path constituent members, FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flow path portion.

The head 1 includes a nozzle plate 10, a flow path plate (individual flow path member) 20, a diaphragm member 30, a common flow path member 50, a damper member 60, a common flow path member 70, and a frame member 80. , a wiring member (flexible wiring board) 45, and the like. A head driver (driver IC) 410 is mounted on the wiring member 45 .

The nozzle plate 10 has a plurality of nozzles 11 that eject liquid. The plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix.

The individual flow path member 20 includes a plurality of pressure chambers (individual liquid chambers) 21 each communicating with the plurality of nozzles 11 , a plurality of individual supply flow paths 22 communicating with the plurality of pressure chambers 21 , and a plurality of pressure chambers 21 . A plurality of individual recovery channels 23 are formed, each of which communicates with the other. One pressure chamber 21 and the individual supply flow path 22 and individual recovery flow path 23 communicating therewith are collectively referred to as an individual flow path 25.

The diaphragm member 30 forms a vibration region 31 that is a deformable wall surface of the pressure chamber 21, and a piezoelectric element 42 is integrally provided in the vibration region 31. Further, the diaphragm member 30 is formed with a supply side opening 32 communicating with the individual supply channel 22 and a recovery side opening 33 communicating with the individual recovery channel 23. The piezoelectric element 42 is a pressure generating element that pressurizes the liquid in the pressure chamber 21 by deforming the vibration region 31.

Note that the individual flow path member 20 and the diaphragm member 30 are not limited to being separate members. The diaphragm member 30 includes one made of a material formed into a film on the surface of the individual channel member 20.

The common channel member 50 is a common channel tributary member, and includes a plurality of common supply channel tributaries 52 communicating with two or more individual supply channels 22 and a plurality of common recovery channels communicating with two or more individual recovery channels 23. The tributaries 53 are formed adjacent to each other alternately.

The common channel member 50 includes a through hole that serves as a supply port 54 that communicates with the supply side opening 32 of the individual supply channel 22 and the common supply channel tributary 52, and a through hole that connects the recovery side opening 33 of the individual recovery channel 23 with the common recovery channel. A through hole serving as a recovery port 55 through which the tributary stream 53 passes is formed.

In addition, the common flow path member 50 includes a portion 56a of one or more common supply flow path main streams 56 that communicate with the plurality of common supply flow path tributaries 52, and one or more common flow path members 56a that communicate with the plurality of common recovery flow path tributaries 53. It forms a part 57a of the main stream 57 of the recovery channel.

The damper member 60 includes a supply side damper 62 that faces (opposes) the supply port 54 of the common supply channel tributary 52 and a recovery side damper 63 that faces (opposes) the recovery port 55 of the common recovery channel tributary 53. have.

Here, the common supply channel tributary 52 and the common recovery channel tributary 53 have grooves arranged alternately in the common channel member 50, which is the same member, sealed with a damper member 60 forming a deformable wall surface. It consists of

The common flow path member 70 is a common flow path main stream member, and includes a common supply flow path main flow 56 communicating with a plurality of common supply flow path tributaries 52 and a common recovery flow path main flow 57 communicating with a plurality of common recovery flow path tributaries 53. Form.

A part 56b of the main stream 56 of the supply channel and a part 57b of the main stream 57 of the common recovery channel are formed in the frame member 80. A portion 56b of the common main supply channel 56 communicates with a supply port 81 provided in the frame member 80, and a portion 57b of the common recovery channel main stream 57 communicates with a recovery port 82 provided in the frame member 80.

In this head 1, the liquid passes from the common supply channel main stream 56 to the common supply channel branch 52, is supplied from the supply port 54 to the pressure chamber 21, and is discharged from the nozzle 11. The liquid that is not discharged from the nozzle 11 passes through the common recovery channel tributary 53 from the recovery port 55, flows into the common recovery channel main stream 57, passes through the recovery port 82, an external circulation device, and passes through the supply port 81, and then returns to the common supply stream. is supplied to the main stream 56.

In this way, even when the nozzle 11 includes the head 1 arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, the first It is also possible to perform head drive control as described in the fourth embodiment.

Note that in each of the above embodiments, a plurality of drive waveforms whose phases are shifted by 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more) of the resonance period of the common flow path are generated and output, and the drive frequency is equal to the resonance period of the common flow path. Although the configuration is such that different drive waveforms are given to different pressure generating elements when the pressure is a divisor of , the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, when generating and outputting multiple drive waveforms whose phase is shifted by 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more) of the resonance period of the common flow path, including when the drive frequency is not a divisor of the resonance period of the common flow path, The effects of the above embodiment can also be obtained even with a configuration in which different drive waveforms are applied to different pressure generating elements.

In addition, it is not limited to a phase shift of 1/N of the resonant period of the common flow path, but also when a plurality of drive waveforms with a phase shift are generated and output, and at least the driving frequency is a divisor of the resonant period of the common flow path. The effects of the above embodiment can also be obtained even with a configuration in which different drive waveforms are applied to different pressure generating elements.

In the present application, the liquid to be ejected may have a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head, and is not particularly limited, but the viscosity becomes 30 mPa・s or less at room temperature and normal pressure, or by heating or cooling. Preferably. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, coloring agents such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , edible materials such as natural pigments, etc., and these include, for example, inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, constituent elements of electronic devices and light emitting devices, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used for purposes such as a liquid for use in liquids, a material liquid for three-dimensional modeling, and the like.

Piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators using electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators consisting of a diaphragm and opposing electrodes are used as energy sources for discharging liquid. Includes things that do.

Furthermore, "devices that eject liquid" include not only devices that can eject liquid onto objects to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that eject liquid into the air or into liquid. .

The "device for discharging liquid" may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging objects to which liquid can adhere, as well as pre-processing devices, post-processing devices, and the like.

For example, an image forming device is a device that ejects ink to form an image on paper as a “device that ejects liquid,” and an image forming device that forms layers of powder to form three-dimensional objects (three-dimensional objects). There is a three-dimensional modeling device (three-dimensional modeling device) that discharges a modeling liquid onto a powder layer.

Further, the "device for ejecting liquid" is not limited to a device that can visualize significant images such as characters and figures using ejected liquid. For example, it includes those that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves, and those that form three-dimensional images.

The above-mentioned "something to which a liquid can adhere" refers to something to which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as something that adheres and sticks, something that adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic components such as electronic boards, piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and test cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes everything to which liquid adheres.

The material for the above-mentioned "material to which liquid can adhere" may be paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., as long as liquid can adhere thereto, even temporarily.

Further, the term "device for discharging liquid" includes a device in which a liquid discharging head and an object to which liquid can be attached move relative to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device that moves a liquid ejection head, a line type device that does not move a liquid ejection head, and the like.

In addition, the "device for discharging a liquid" includes a processing liquid coating device that discharges a processing liquid onto paper in order to apply the processing liquid to the surface of the paper for the purpose of modifying the surface of the paper, etc. There is an injection granulation device that granulates fine particles of the raw material by spraying a composition liquid in which the raw material is dispersed through a nozzle.

In addition, in the terms of this application, image formation, recording, printing, imprinting, printing, modeling, etc. are all synonymous.

1 Liquid ejection head (head)
21 Pressure chamber 42 Piezoelectric element 51 Common supply channel (common channel)
52 Common supply flow path tributary (common flow path)
53 Common recovery channel tributary (common channel)
401 Image data processing means 402 Drive waveform storage means 403 Drive frequency determination means 404 Drive waveform selection means 410 Head driver 411A, 411B Analog switch 500 Printing device 510 Carrying-in section 520 Pre-processing section 530 Printing section 540 Drying section 550 Carrying-out section

Claims (7)

a plurality of pressure chambers each communicating with a plurality of nozzles that discharge liquid;
a common flow path communicating with the plurality of pressure chambers;
a liquid ejection head comprising a plurality of pressure generating elements respectively corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers;
means for generating and outputting a plurality of drive waveforms whose phases are shifted by 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more) of the resonance period of the common flow path;
An apparatus for discharging liquid, comprising means for applying different drive waveforms to different pressure generating elements. a plurality of pressure chambers each communicating with a plurality of nozzles that discharge liquid;
a common flow path communicating with the plurality of pressure chambers;
a liquid ejection head comprising a plurality of pressure generating elements respectively corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers;
means for generating and outputting a plurality of phase-shifted drive waveforms;
At least, when the driving frequency is a divisor of the resonant frequency of the common flow path, means for applying different driving waveforms to different pressure generating elements ,
The plurality of drive waveforms are out of phase by 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more) of the resonance period of the common flow path.
A device for discharging liquid characterized by: The plurality of drive waveforms include three or more drive waveforms whose phases are shifted by 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more),
3. The device for discharging liquid according to claim 1 , wherein the three or more drive waveforms are sequentially assigned and applied to the plurality of pressure generating elements. The plurality of drive waveforms are two drive waveforms that are out of phase by 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more),
3. The device for discharging liquid according to claim 1 , wherein the two drive waveforms are alternately assigned and applied to the plurality of pressure generating elements. The plurality of drive waveforms are two drive waveforms that are out of phase by 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more),
3. The two driving waveforms are alternately assigned and applied to two or more of the plurality of pressure generating elements corresponding to the nozzle that discharges the liquid. A device for discharging the liquid described in . a plurality of pressure chambers each communicating with a plurality of nozzles that discharge liquid;
a common flow path communicating with the plurality of pressure chambers;
A head drive control method for driving and controlling a liquid ejection head including a plurality of pressure generating elements respectively corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers, the method comprising:
A head drive control method characterized in that different drive waveforms having a phase shift of 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more) of the resonance period of the common flow path are applied to the different pressure generating elements. a plurality of pressure chambers each communicating with a plurality of nozzles that discharge liquid;
a common flow path communicating with the plurality of pressure chambers;
A head drive control method for driving and controlling a liquid ejection head including a plurality of pressure generating elements respectively corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers, the method comprising:
At least when the driving frequency is a divisor of the resonant frequency of the common flow path, providing different driving waveforms with different phases to the different pressure generating elements ,
The different drive waveforms whose phases are shifted are shifted in phase by 1/N (N is an integer of 1 or more) of the resonance period of the common flow path.
A head drive control method characterized by:

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